Following a successful bid by Mr Chuka Umunna, the Backbench Business Committee have scheduled a debate for Thursday 3 March 2016 in the Chamber. Mr Umunna will be leading the debate. The proceedings of the debate in Parliament may be watched on parliamentlive.tv

Public Digital Debate

Mr Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) will also be leading a public digital debate on Twitter using the hashtag #StopYouthViolence. The Twitter debate will run on Monday 22 February between 4.30pm - 5.30pm.

Backbench Business Debates

The Government allocates a certain number of days in the chamber for debates selected by the Backbench Business Committee. It is up to the Committee to decide what subjects it will schedule for debate. The Committee meets every week on a Tuesday when Parliament is sitting to hear requests from any backbench Member of Parliament. Mr Umunna’s request to the Committee for this debate may be seen on parliamentlive.tv

Government Policy

On 13 January 2016, the Home Office published a ‘refreshed approach’ to the policy relating to gang violence. Entitled Ending gang violence and exploitation, the policy paper sets out six priorities to combat gang related violence.

The Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation, Karen Bradley said that the new approach provided, ‘more targeted support, which will allow local police and authorities to identify how best to address local challenges and identify the right measures to tackle gang-related violence and exploitation.’

Knife Crime Statistics

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows that over the past five years offences in England and Wales involving a knife or sharp instrument (excluding possession) have fallen by 20%. Likewise police recorded offences of possession of a knife or offensive weapon, where a caution or sentence was received, have fallen by 5% since 2010/11. However, both possession offences and other offences involving knives have seen an increase in the most recent recording year.

NSPCC Helpline

The NSPCC have a free 24 hour helpline to provide support and advice for anyone worried about a child or young person who may be at risk from gang-related activity: 0808 800 5000